08/09/2026
🔎 Born with a mole? Here’s why it deserves attention.🎃
Congenital Melanocytic Nevus (CMN)
🌻 A CMN is a mole that is present at birth or becomes apparent during early infancy. It results from an increased concentration of melanocytes—the pigment-producing cells of the skin.
🌿 While most CMN are benign, their appearance can change as a child grows. CMN may become darker, thicker, or more hairy over time, and some may increase substantially in size.
📌 Why does size matter?
📐Small < 1.5 cm in diameter.
📐Medium between 1.5–10 cm.
📐Large between 11–20 cm.
📐Giant >20 cm
🎯 The risk of melanoma developing within a CMN is increased if
🎈 Large or giant size
🎈 Axial or paravertebral location (crossing the spine)
🎈 Multiple congenital satellite naevi
🎈 Neurocutaneous melanosis.
🧨 With those above, there is about 5% lifetime risk of developing melanoma
🧨 The estimated risk of Neurocutaneous melanosis developing in individuals with large / giant CMN & satellite lesions is 10–33%. Most of them remain asymptomatic. Hence monitoring of neurology and developmental milestone is essential. It can be detected by MRI as well.
Dermoscopy
🔎 Most common is globular pattern, but reticular, structureless and mixed patterns may occur. The naevus may have differing structures across the lesion, sometimes leading to overall asymmetry of the structure.
👩⚕️ What should parents look out for?
Seek dermatological assessment if there is:
⚠️ A rapid or unexpected change in size, colour, or shape
⚠️ A new firm or unusual lump within the nevus
⚠️ Bleeding, ulceration, or persistent symptoms
⚠️ A new area that looks significantly different from the rest of the lesion
✨ Key message: Infants or children with large or giant CMN require neurology and developmental milestone monitoring
📍 Early assessment. Expert monitoring. Informed decisions.
BabyCare Child Specialist Clinic
012-528 3167
